What Are the
Ten Commandments?

Many have heard of the Ten Commandments. Many today are
asking what they are, and how are they to be obeyed.

Some today have heard that obedience to the Ten Commandments is necessary for salvation. Others
have heard that salvation is dependent only upon one's faith in Yahushua [Jesus], for the
forgiveness of sins. Still others have been told that those who have been Born-Again, by believing
in Yahushua, need not obey the Ten Commandments. But what do the Scriptures tell us?

In this short writing we will look at what the Ten Commandments say, and then see what the
Scriptures themselves have to say about the Ten Commandments. We will look carefully at a few of
the least understood Scripture passages themselves, to see what they actually say. Only when we
read the Scripture passages for ourselves, are we better able to make our own decisions as to what
the Ten Commandments are, and how we should respond to them.

We will take special note of who it was that spoke these commandments. We will also see to whom
they were given, and how the Ten Commandments fit in with all of Scripture. We will then see what
the Scriptures tell us about those who do obey the commandments, and what they say about those who
do not.

What are the Ten Commandments?

After Yahuweh brought the Israelites out from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:2), He led them into the
wilderness of Arabia. It was there that Yahuweh gave them His Marriage Covenant, summarised in the
stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (Galatians 4:25; Exodus 34:27-28; Deuteronomy 4:13).

We must first understand, that it was the person of Messiah who appeared to Abraham as the
Word of Yahuweh (Genesis 15:1,4), and as the apostle Paul tells us in (1Corinthians 10:1-4),
it was Messiah who accompanied the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness. This
bit of information is a key piece of the puzzle, that enables us to understand and to learn
Father's Ways, as we shall see below.

It was also on Mount Sinai that Yahuweh spoke to Moses by the Word of Yahuweh, who is
Messiah (Num 3:16,51; 15:31; 36:5). It was Messiah who spoke the Ten Commandments, also
called the Ten Words. Likewise it was Messiah who wrote these Words on tables of
stone with His own finger — 'the finger of God' (Exodus 31:18; Luke 11:20), and gave
the tables to Moses, to give to the people. The entire account can be seen in the Bible, in Exodus
chapter 20. Some of the details of this Covenant are discussed in the article, The Two Witnesses of Devarim
by Brick Parrish.

After receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Moses descended from the mountain. When he
reached the base of the mountain, Moses saw the Israelites celebrating in an unrestrained manner,
and worshipping a golden calf they had made. Moses threw down the stone tablets and broke them,
giving us a prophetic picture of God's people who would break Yahuweh's Everlasting
Covenant, in preparation for the coming of Messiah who would permanently restore
Yahuweh's Everlasting Covenant.

Moses then returned to the top of the mountain, to commune with Yahuweh. Through a series of
events, Moses then descended with a second set of stone tablets, whose wording was identical
to the first set. This second set of tablets gives us another prophetic picture of the
Second or 'New' Covenant that would be written internally, on the heart, and whose wording
would be identical to that of the First or 'Old' covenant, seen prophetically in the first
set of broken tablets, and mentioned in (Hebrews 8:7, 9:1).

It was later in the wilderness wanderings that the Word of Yahuweh gave to Moses further details of
the commandments, which were written in the Book of the Law ['Torah'], the collection of
Father's instructions for His people. The tablets of the Ten Commandments were placed
into the ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:21; 1Kings 8:9), which is prophetic of placing the words of
the Law [Torah] into the hearts of His Disciples within whom Messiah would dwell (Prov 7:2-3;
Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16; 2Corinthians 3:3; Colossians 1:27).

The Book of the Law was also placed in the side of the ark, as a witness (Deuteronomy
31:26), which is another prophetic picture for us, showing us how we become aware of exactly what
sin is (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7). It is only by having the Law of God written internally in our
heart that we begin to know [perceive or become aware of] sin, which is unrighteousness (Psalms
37:31; Isaiah 51:7; Romans 3:20, 7:7; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16; 1John 5:17).

The tables of the Ten Commandments form the basis of all civil life and relationships for all of
Yahuweh's people. They are the basics of how Yahuweh's people are to relate to Him, and to
each other. The Ten Commandments are the basic and essential part of Yahuweh's instructions for
His people, and they are the foundation of Father's 'Rules of the House' by which His
children are expected to live.

The Ten Commandments

The Scripture passages containing the Ten Commandments are listed in the table below, as seen in
Exodus 20:2-17. These are shown first as Biblical Hebrew, then as the KJV listing, and finally the
World English Bible.

The Ten Commandments

Exodus Chapter 20:

Verse

Hebrew

KJV

World English Bible

1

וידבר אלהים את
כל־הדברים האלה
לאמר׃ ס

And God spake all these words,
saying,

God spoke all these words, saying,

Commandment #1:

2

אנכי יהוה אלהיך
אשר הוצאתיך
מארץ מצרים מבית
עבדים׃

I am the LORD your God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

I am Yahweh your God, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3

לא
יהיה־לך אלהים
אחרים על־פני ׃

Thou shalt have no other gods before
me.

You shall have no other gods before
me.

Commandment #2:

4

לא
תעשה־לך פסל ׀
וכל־תמונה אשר
בשמים ׀ ממעל
ואשר בארץ

Thou shalt not make [fabricate, acquire,
have] unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that
[is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

You shall not make for yourselves an
idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,
nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

you shall not bow yourself down to them,
nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on
the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,

6

ועשה חסד לאלפים
לאהבי ולשמרי
מצותי׃ ס

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them
that love me, and keep my commandments.

and showing loving kindness to thousands
of those who love me and keep my commandments.

but the seventh day is a Sabbath to
Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male
servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your
gates;

The Ten Commandments

1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD your God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods
before me.

World English Bible (WEB):

1 God spoke all these words, saying, 2 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out
of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before me.

Commandment 2-A:
Exodus 20:4:

Hebrew:

לא תעשה־לך
פסל ׀ וכל־תמונה
אשר בשמים ׀ ממעל
ואשר בארץ

King James:

4 Thou shalt not make [fabricate, acquire, have] unto thee any graven image, or
any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that
[is] in the water under the earth:

World English Bible (WEB):

4 You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in
the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God
[am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me,
and keep my commandments.

World English Bible (WEB):

5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God,
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the
fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who
love me and keep my commandments.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do
all thy work: 10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy
cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: 11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed
the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

World English Bible (WEB):

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 You shall labor six days, and do
all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in
it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your
livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days Yahweh made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the
Sabbath day, and made it holy.

The Scripture verses, along with references for each
commandment, are shown above, for the Reader's benefit. This information is shown because many
religious groups divide up the Ten Commandments in various ways, as a means of hiding some of the
words. Some religious groups completely remove certain words altogether, and the Reader is thus
robbed of knowing the Truth!

What is important is not how these Commandments are divided up, but that all the words of the
Commandments be shown in entirety, so that the Reader may benefit from 'every word' that
proceeds from the mouth of Yahuweh (Matt 4:4; Luke 4:4).

The New Covenant Importance of the Commandments

Why are the Commandments important?

It is important to understand that we can not be saved by being obedient to the
Commandments. The first step to our salvation is to first understand that we have been
disobedient to the Commandments, and as a result, we are called sinners. Thus in
order to be saved, we must have a Saviour to save us from our sins. In order to be saved, we
must first realise that we are all sinners, and that we all have need of a Saviour to save us
[rescue us] from our sins.

One might then ask, "What is sin?" The Scriptures tell us sin is transgression of the
law (1John 3:4), which means disobedience of Yahuweh's commandments. If we have disobeyed
any commandment of the Scriptures that would apply to us, we are sinners by the Biblical
definition. It is only by our understanding of the Commandments that we know what sin
is; and it is only by the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we know that we ourselves are
personally guilty of sin. And so it is by understanding the commandment, and by knowing I have
disobeyed the commandment, that I am convicted by the Holy Spirit, and know that I need a Saviour,
to save me from my sins.

As new Believers, we are exhorted to give our hearts to Yahushua, and to let our eyes observe
[delight in keeping, and walking in] His Ways (Proverbs 23:26). Father's ways are seen
throughout the Torah, and are taught in the places of assembly each Sabbath, just as the Jerusalem
council tells us in Acts 15:19-21.

As we learn Father's Ways in the 'Old' Testament writings, we begin to see that His
Ways are ways of Righteousness, and ways that are holy ['set-apart as special'].
These are ways wherein we allow Him to lead us away from the ways of sin, iniquity, and defilement,
and toward a Biblical lifestyle of Righteousness, and of being set-apart unto Him.

Yahushua [Jesus] exhorts all those who have been saved from their sins, to stop sinning (John 5:14;
8:11; 1Cor 15:34; Eph 4:26; 1John 2:1; 3:4, 8, 9). Even for those who have been saved and forgiven
of their sins, continued sin thereafter blocks the intimate relationship that Yahushua
desires of each of His children. If we sin, we can confess our sins to Yahuweh as soon as we become
aware of them (1John 1:8-9), and He then forgives us of our sins, and cleanses us from all
unrighteousness.

But how are we to know what things are considered sin?

The apostle Paul tells us that by the Torah comes the knowledge of sin [the awareness of what is
considered sin, so that we might avoid it] (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7). The value of the commandments
found throughout the Torah, is that they define for us what Yahuweh considers sin, unrighteousness,
iniquity, and wickedness. The commandments tell us in plain and simple terms, what we are to do,
and what we should avoid doing, if we want to stop committing sins!

As we grow in our walk with Yahushua, we learn to run to Him daily, or as often as necessary, to
confess our sins, so that He may wash us, and cleanse us from all sin [unrighteousness] (1John
1:7-9; 1John 5:17). And as we continue to study the Scriptures, we become more and more aware of
what to avoid. We also become more aware of the Great mercy He has shown to us by giving us His
forgiveness, and the Great Grace He has given to us to enable us to do what is right. For further
discussion of what constitutes sin, see Sin: According to the
Scriptures.

Are We Aware — or Ignorant — of What Sin Is? Two Examples from the Ten
Commandments

As we look at some practical examples of becoming aware of what sin is, let's focus on two of
the Commandments shown above, the Second Commandment and the Fourth Commandment.

Example: The Second Commandment

As our first example, notice carefully the wording of the Second Commandment. Notice that the
Hebrew word לא (Lo) has been highlighted in bold type, in
the Ten Commandments table above. This is a particularly interesting feature, in that the Hebrew
word 'Lo' means "You shall not." Thus wherever we see the word 'Lo' in
these commandments, we know this is a stand-alone command, which does not depend on any other
passage to give further context, to qualify or change its meaning.

The significance of the Hebrew word לא in verses 4
and 5 of the Second Commandment, is that verse 5 does not supply the context for verse 4,
but verse 4 is to be understood within its own context. This tells us that one need not
'bow down' or 'serve' a forbidden object, as seen in verse 5, for that object to be
classified as an idol.

In verse 4, Yahuweh tells us not to make a particular shape of object. Notice however, the
Hebrew word translated 'make,' Strong's number <06213>, has many additional
meanings, including the ideas of "do, make, fashion, acquire, have, maintain, prepare,"
and a number of additional meanings.

And because verse 4 is a stand-alone command, it tells us that to 'make'
<06213> [make, prepare, keep, acquire, maintain, attend to] the described object is
forbidden, without regard to whether the owner bows down to it.

This stand-alone command feature is especially important as we look at the practical meaning of the
Second Commandment, as revealed in verses 4 and 5. Let's now look closely at these two passages,
to see what they are actually saying:

Thou shalt not make <06213> unto thee any graven image, or any
likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in
the water under the earth: (Exodus 20:4)

Now notice what Yahuweh tells us next:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve <05647> them: for I the
LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the
third and fourth generation of them that hate me. (Exodus 20:5)

Verse 4 tells us not to make, fashion, acquire, or have a graven [carved or fashioned] image of any
living being, which includes art objects, statues, figurines, and toys commonly found in the home or
office.

But as it begins to dawn upon us what verse 4 actually says, many would say, "But I do not bow
down to it, as verse 5 warns — so perhaps it is acceptable to 'make, fashion, acquire, or
have' the object in my possession, in my home or office."

This is a grave error, to think that verse 5 supplies 'context' or meaning to verse 4.
Instead, as we have noted, each verse, Exodus 20:4 and Exodus 20:5, are separate, stand-alone
"Do not" commands, each containing the Hebrew word 'lo.' This information
sheds new light onto these passages, and reveals to us a further depth of meaning.

Thus in verse 4, we are told not to "make, fashion, acquire, or have" the described object
— and in verse 5 we are told not to bow down to them, even if they had been "made or
fashioned" by someone else. Each passage is a separate command, each independent of the other
for contextual meaning.

Nevertheless, many today will consider their valued objects, think about their expensive collections
of figurines and statues, art objects, and decorations, and will hold them too dear to abandon.
They will continue to ignore Yahuweh's Word regarding the command, "do not make" [or
have] these described objects. Instead, many will substitute their own understanding of what this
command is saying.

Again, they reason, "But I am not bowing down to this object, so it's OK to have it."
But this way of thinking is exactly what King Saul did, and this is exactly why Yahuweh considers
stubbornness as the sin of idolatry — when we exalt our own understanding above what
Yahuweh's Word actually says.

So if we reject Yahuweh's simple and clear Word to us in verse 4, and instead choose to follow
our own understanding, thinking "But I do not bow down to it, so perhaps it is acceptable to
make, fashion, acquire, or have," then we are in essence, doing as King Saul did. This is
idolatry in Yahuweh's eyes.

We have also created an idol of the heart, by substituting our 'own understanding' in
place of what Yahuweh's Word actually says.

What verse 4 actually says is, "Do not make, acquire, or have" the described
object. Period!

And verse 5 actually says, "Do not bow down to, or serve the [above described] objects,
even if they were "made or fashioned" by someone else. Period!

Read together in this manner, verses 4 and 5 say, "You shall not make [have, acquire,
maintain, etc.] for yourselves a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in the
heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Neither
shall you bow yourself down to them, nor serve them."

In simple terms, the Second Commandment is plainly telling us:

1) Neither make [have, etc.] the object (verse 4),

2) Nor bow down to it, nor serve it (verse 5).

Now let's look at another feature of these two passages, the "cause-and effect"
relationship seen in these two verses.

Cause and Effect

Not only do Exodus 20:4 and Exodus 20:5 give us two separate, explicit commands, but they are a
classic example of a Biblical "cause-and-effect" relationship. "Do not do [Action 1],
because it will inevitably lead you to do [Action 2], which you are also forbidden to do."

The not-so-obvious, hidden cause-and-effect relationship between verse 4 and verse 5 tells
us that to make, acquire, or have a forbidden object, inevitably leads to a hidden
attachment to them, a bowing down to them [hidden in our heart, not seen or perceived], and a
hidden serving of them [hidden in our heart, not seen or perceived].

Yahuweh knew if we were to make or have these objects, we would become attached to them, and that
is a form of worshipping them. Through our natural sentimentality toward an object, we can create
an attachment to that object, creating an idolatry of the heart. This idolatry will only strengthen
the stronghold of the enemy, bringing into our homes various torments — such as strife,
discord, anger, rebellion, sicknesses, troubles, and unbelief.

This stronghold of idolatry is the inevitable outcome of this cause-and-effect relationship seen
in the Second Commandment.

• What does this mean for Believers today, in a practical sense?

When we consider the truth that many types of art objects, decorations, statues, figurines, and
toys are simply fabricated representations of male or female living things, we then realise that
these are forbidden objects, and are off-limits to Believers.

Thus if we make, prepare, keep, acquire, have, maintain, or attend to them, we have disobeyed the
2nd Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1John 3:4).

Yahuweh does, however, give us a choice. He watches us, to see whether we will follow Him, by
careful obedience to what He has said in His Word — or whether we choose to follow our own
sentimentality toward an object, thus clouding our own understanding.

Father is also looking for a Bride for His son, and so He is looking for hearts that
are soft and teachable, and fully yielded to obedience to His Word. The choices we make reveal our
heart.

Here is what Father sees, based on the choices we make regarding the Second Commandment:

The Second Commandment: Choices Reveal the Heart

1) The deceived heart, in an attempt to justify its own
actions, will do everything possible to twist the meaning of what the Second Commandment actually
says, looking for a 'loophole' that would allow one to have, and to keep, one's
forbidden objects.

2) The soft heart, however, says, "Whether I am
convinced or not, I do not want to gamble on even the slightest odds that I might be
wrong."

3) The teachable heart then says, "I will not take
even the slightest chance, that I might offend the Bridegroom because of a few earthly trinkets, so
I will destroy or discard these objects from my home!"

4) The yielded heart is one that is quick to discard or
destroy anything, regardless of its cost or value, that might cause a sin or offense against
the Bridegroom, or a stumbling-block to a fellow Believer.

What can we conclude? As the apostle Paul tells us (Romans 3:20b; Romans 7:7b), it is by the Torah
[law] that we have knowledge of sin — that we become aware of what sin is — so we can
avoid committing sin.

The Ten Commandments form the most basic list of commands that reveal to us what sin is. If we
choose to disobey any of these commands, we know we have transgressed the Law — we have
committed a sin (1John 3:4).

In this example, we have seen how our heart is revealed, dependent on how we respond to the Second
Commandment.

We have also seen how the sin of idolatry is revealed, in anyone who chooses to disobey the Second
Commandment.

Now let us look at another practical example of becoming aware of what sin is, as we look at the
Fourth Commandment.

Example: The Fourth Commandment

The Fourth Commandment is given in Exodus 20:8-11. Let's look closely at these passages, to see
what they are actually saying:

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all
thy work: 10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt
not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: 11 For [in] six days the LORD made
heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore
the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it [set it apart]. (Exodus 20:8-11)

In this command, Yahuweh tells us that we are to remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy
[set-apart as special unto Him], in certain, specified ways. We see most of the Sabbath Day basics
in the above Exodus 20:8-11 passage, and a few other details in other Bible passages.

In verse 8, we see that Yahuweh first tells us to remember to keep the Sabbath Day
set-apart as 'holy' — that is, to keep it separate from all the other
'common' days of the week.

In verse 9, Yahuweh tells us that we are to do all our week's work in six days.

Then in verse 10, we see the reason we are to do our work in six days — because the seventh
day is designated as Yahuweh's Sabbath Day, in which we are not allowed to do any work, nor are
we to require anyone else, including work animals, to work for us.

In verse 11, we then see the reason Yahuweh gives for our honouring the Sabbath Day. We are told
that Yahuweh Himself worked six days in creating the heavens and the earth, and then Yahuweh Himself
rested on the seventh day, and set that day apart as 'holy,' and separate from the six work
days.

Which Day is the Sabbath Day?

It is interesting to note that remnants of Yahuweh's Sabbath Day can be seen in all cultures down
through history, and that the seventh day, is called 'Sabbath' [or some slight
variation thereof] in many languages worldwide.

According to historians, the 'Jewish' Sabbath Day was known in ancient, pagan Rome as
"the Day of Saturn," and is called Saturday in modern times. Through corruption of
man-made doctrines, many Religious groups today have their own sabbath days, but
Yahuweh's Sabbath Day remains unchanged.

The apostle Paul tells us that the Oracles of Yahuweh were committed to the Jews, for our profit
[to be a light and witness to the world]. It is interesting to note, that in order to confirm which
day of the week the ancient Sabbath Day fell upon, we need not go back any earlier than when
Messiah walked on the earth.

Yahushua Messiah Himself did not sin, so we know He observed the true Sabbath Day of Yahuweh. Note
that He observed the same Sabbath Day as did the Jews — which over a time span of
2,000 years, down to the present day, has not changed at all. The true Sabbath Day remains the same
to this day — as attested to every Saturday, by every Jewish synagogue in the land!

Despite calendar changes that designate Sunday as the seventh day, and despite corruptions
introduced by Rome, the true Sabbath Day remains as a witness that Yahuweh is indeed the Creator,
and that Yahuweh continues to have a remnant of those who continue to honour Yahuweh, by keeping
His Sabbath Day holy.

It is said that those who do not observe Yahuweh's Sabbath Day, are giving testimony that they
do not believe in Yahuweh as Creator! Might it be true, that those Believers who do not observe
Yahuweh's Sabbath Day, are teaching evolution — simply by the testimony of their example
of not observing the Creator's Sabbath Day?

• What does this mean for Believers today, in a practical sense?

When we consider the Fourth Commandment, here is a summary of some truths to consider:

The Fourth Commandment: Truths to Consider

• Yahuweh calls His people to remember to keep the
Sabbath Day holy, in the ways He has specified;

• Yahuweh's true Sabbath Day is the seventh
day;

• The seventh day is today called
Saturday;

• On the seventh day [Saturday] we are not allowed to do
any work ourselves, nor are we to require anyone else — including employees, service
personnel [waiters], or work animals — to work for us;

When we consider the above truths of what the Fourth Commandment is telling us, we now face a
decision.

Will we choose to follow Yahuweh, by obedience to His Word — or will we choose to follow some
Religious group's Sabbath, by obedience to their words? The apostle Paul tells us that
whose Commandments we choose to obey, reveals which master we have chosen to serve (Romans 6:15-17;
Joshua 24:15).

If we choose not to observe Yahuweh's Sabbath Day, even though we may gather for religious
worship on some other day, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which according to
the apostle John, is sin (1John 3:4).

Like Messiah's Disciples, we may gather together in Messiah's name every day of the
week, but we are still called upon to observe Yahuweh's Sabbath Day.

If we choose to observe Yahuweh's Sabbath Day, but in a way other than as He specifies, then we
are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1John 3:4).

If we choose to work on Saturday, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which is sin
(1John 3:4).

Again, Yahuweh does give us a choice. He watches us, to see whether we will follow Him, by
careful obedience to what He has said in His Word — or whether we choose to follow our own
dictates, choosing instead to remain in the convenience of our own lifestyle.

Again, Father is looking for a Bride for His son, and He is looking for hearts that are soft and
teachable, and fully yielded to obedience to His Word.

What can we conclude? As the apostle Paul tells us (Romans 3:20b; Romans 7:7b), it is by the Torah
[law] that we have knowledge of sin — so that we become aware of what sin is — so we can
avoid committing sin

The Ten Commandments form the most basic list of commands that reveal to us what sin is. If we
choose to disobey any of these commands, we know we have transgressed the Law — we have
committed a sin (1John 3:4).

In this example, we have seen what the Fourth Commandment is, and some of the details of how to
observe Yahuweh's Sabbath Day.

We have also seen how our sin is revealed to us, when we compare what we are currently doing,
against what Yahuweh has said in His Word, about the Fourth Commandment.

For further insight into the Biblical Sabbath Day as a sign or 'token' [a distinguishing
mark] of the Everlasting [New] Covenant, and the great importance of Born-Again Believers observing
the Sabbath Day, see The Sabbath
Day is a Sign.

When we as Born-Again Believers read the Ten Commandments, we may cloak ourselves in willful
ignorance, but we cannot hide from the eyes of Yahuweh, whose eternal rewards ['recompense']
will be according to what we have done (2Cor 5:10; Rev 2:23, 26), regarding our obedience to His
Word.

It is for this reason that Messiah continues to call out to us today, calling lovingly [and
repeatedly] to His Blood-Redeemed Ones, to repent — to cease walking in our own ways of
disobedience to Messiah's Commandments, and begin to walk in obedience to His Word (Rev 2:1 -
Rev 3:22; Isaiah 44:22).

If You Love Me: The Goal Is Love

When Yahushua Messiah was asked which is the greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), He answered
by stating the two greatest Commandments found in Torah:

1)"Love Yahuweh"
(Deuteronomy 6:5)

2)"Love Your Neighbour"
(Leviticus 19:18)

It is important for us to understand, that all the Commandments in Scripture do not 'boil
down' to just these two Commandments, such that all the rest have somehow disappeared.

Instead, notice that the two 'Love' commandments above, quoted from the Torah by Messiah,
are seen simply as categories or 'headings' from which all the other commandments descend
or hang.

This clue given by Messiah tells us that the Ten Commandments, as a whole, can be seen be in two
parts, coming under the two Great Commandments as two main headings:

The Ten Commandments: Two Parts

1) Love Yahuweh (Deut 6:5)

Commandment #1

Commandment #2

Commandment #3

Commandment #4

2) Love Your Neighbour (Lev 19:18)

Commandment #5

Commandment #6

Commandment #7

Commandment #8

Commandment #9

Commandment #10

Notice that the first 4 Commandments are in the First Group. These describe how we are to
love Yahuweh.

Notice that the last 6 Commandments are in the Second Group. These describe how we are to
love our neighbour.

These two groups of Commandments tell us how we are to love Yahuweh, and how we are to love our
neighbour, in the ways that Yahuweh has defined for us:

•Those who choose to love Yahuweh, will choose to
obey the first 4 Commandments.

•Those who choose to love their neighbour, will
choose to obey the last 6 Commandments.

•Those who choose to love Yahuweh and their
neighbour, will choose to obey all Ten Commandments.

With this in mind, let's see how 'love' is described in the Scriptures.

The apostle Paul tells us that the goal of our keeping Yahushua's Commandments is "Love
from a pure heart" (1Tim 1:5). Our goal is to love Yahushua, and to love the Brethren. But
then the apostle John tells us, "This is love — to walk according to His
Commandments" (2John 1:6). Here we see Paul and John both confirming what is said in the 2nd
Commandment (Exodus 20:6), that to love Him is to keep His commandments.

Yahushua reminds us, "If you love me, keep MY Commandments" (John 14:15). And so we see
everywhere in the Scriptures, that love is measured by our voluntary obedience to Yahuweh's
Commandments.

Let us remember, these are all Yahuweh's Commandments, which Yahushua Messiah spoke. Thus if we
truly love Yahushua, we will begin to keep His Commandments, beginning with the most
basic ones Messiah spoke to Moses — the Ten Commandments.

My Sayings

The Ten Commandments seen above are only a small part of the overall collection of statutes,
commandments, precepts, laws, judgments, ordinances, testimonies, words, and sayings which Messiah
has spoken from The Beginning [from the Book of Genesis onward]. The Commandments of God are not
considered to be only ten, or 613, or any specific number, but are seen in Scripture as the
'voice' of
God, and consist of 'every word' that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4;
Luke 4:4).

Taken together, all of Messiah's statutes, commandments, precepts, laws, judgments,
testimonies, words, and sayings, are eternal, and they speak of Father's eternal,
unchanging will. They tell us Yahuweh's definition of how we are to be holy, and how we are to
walk in His ways. They also tell us of those things in which He delights, and of those things He
considers abomination. It is from all of His Words, that we learn His Ways.

And as we continue to observe His Ways, and as we become obedient to His Words, He causes us to
grow in our love for Him. We begin to love what He loves, and to hate what He hates. We thus come
to know Him, as we walk with Him, day-by-day.

These Ten Commandments are more than simply broad categories of commandments seen throughout the
Scriptures. They are also literal Commandments that express Father's will, as 'House
Rules' for His children.

House Rules for His Children

The external commandments were given as a 'schoolmaster,' to accomplish two objectives.
First, they were given to bring conviction of sin to us, that we might realise our need for a
Saviour, and run to Messiah for salvation (Gal 3:24); and second, to train Father's children in
how to live according to Father's House Rules, and according to Father's Ways.

As Father writes His external Torah on the inward tables of our hearts, and as we become more
obedient, we come to rely less and less on the external schoolmaster, instead relying on the
conviction of the Holy Spirit to illuminate and bring to our remembrance all the Words of the
Covenant written on the heart (Gal 3:25). It is the rebellious children that abandon all
that the Schoolmaster taught; and it is the strange woman [estranged congregation of
Believers] that forsakes the Schoolmaster, and forgets Yahuweh's Covenant (Proverbs
2:17).

We might ask, "How does Father train His children to keep His Torah and His judgments, His
statutes and His Commandments?"

In the Psalms, Father tells us the answer. Speaking prophetically of Yahushua Messiah, and of His
children — the Born-Again Believers of today — notice what Father tells us:

Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the
earth. 28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. 29
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. 30 If his
children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; 31 If they break my
statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32 Then will I visit their transgression with
the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I
not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. (Psalms 89:27-33)

In the above passage, we see how the Born-Again, Holy-Spirit-filled Believers, as children of
Messiah, will undergo the discipline of a loving Father. Here we are told that Father will visit
our transgression with the rod, and our iniquity with stripes, if we break Father's statutes,
and refuse to walk in His judgments — that is, if we forsake His Law [Torah], and do not keep
His Commandments.

Perhaps many of the troubles we go through in life may result from our continuing to listen to
Preachers and other Spiritual Leaders who tell us we need not 'keep the Law,' and thus we
become disobedient. Many spiritual Leaders today tell their followers it is not necessary to pay
attention to Yahuweh's Commandments. Those Leaders who contradict the Scriptures are leading
their followers to what the apostle Paul calls 'shipwreck of the Faith' (1Timothy 1:19),
and what Yahushua tells us is a 'house built upon the sand' (Matthew 7:26).

Ruling and Reigning in the Kingdom

Let's look briefly in Scripture, to see who obeys the Ten Commandments, and who does not obey
them. To see this, let's fast-forward in time, to have a prophetic glimpse of what each group
has as their future destination.

Our first picture is of those who overcome all the obstacles, because they have been given patience
and endurance:

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they
that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12).

These are called saints who have patience and endurance at the end time. Notice that the
saints are described as those who do keep the Commandments of Yahuweh, and
['which is'] the Faith of Yahushua.

We see yet another picture of those who do keep the Commandments of Yahuweh:

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may
have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
(Revelation 22:14)

In the above passage, we are told of those who become "DO-ers" of His commandments,
'that' [in order that] they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through
the gates into the city [the New Jerusalem, the City of the King].

Notice that the above passage clearly tells us that having right to the Tree of Life, and
entering-in through the gates into the City, are both dependent upon doing His
Commandments!

Now let's look at the next verse in this passage, to see those who do not keep His
Commandments:

For without [outside the city] are dogs, and sorcerers, and
whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Revelation
22:15).

In the above two verses, we are first told of those who are allowed to enter into the New
Jerusalem — they that DO His commandments. We are then given a description of those who will
not be allowed into the New Jerusalem, the City of the King — they that were
disobedient to His commandments.

Those that must remain outside the City include those who had been redeemed by Messiah, but
continued to be disobedient to the Commandments spoken by Messiah — which is all of
Torah. The prophetic picture of this as applying to Believers today, is clearly seen in (Isaiah
44:22), where all His Redeemed ones are exhorted to return to Father. We return to Father,
simply by obedience to His Word (Deut 4:30; 30:2,8).

From the above passages, we see that only those who keep Yahushua's Commandments [which are His
Father's Commandments (John 14:24)], will be allowed into the City of the King, to rule with
Him [Yahushua], and to reign with Him.

Conclusion

We have seen that the Ten Commandments are Father's Commandments, and yet they are
Messiah's Commandments. We have seen that Messiah, as the Word of Yahuweh, spoke the Ten
Commandments, and wrote them with His own finger, and gave them to Moses.

We have seen that the Ten Commandments form a small part of the many Commandments spoken by
Messiah. We have seen the importance of the Commandments to reveal sin, and the importance of
walking in obedience the Commandments, in order to show our love for Messiah.

We have seen that Messiah's sayings [all of Father's Commandments] make up a part of
Father's House Rules. We have fast-forwarded to the future, to see who will keep these
commandments, and who will not keep them.

Beloved, over the past 2,000 years we have lost sight of who it was that spoke the Ten
Commandments. Let us re-gain that understanding, so that we might choose to return to Him,
and to love Him, by keeping His Commandments!

Many Believers today have not yet realised that Messiah is the WORD of Yahuweh, who spoke to
Abraham, and to Moses, and to all the Prophets -- and that Messiah's words include all
the Commandments of the Law [Torah]. And so it is, that Messiah continues to cry out to His
Born-again children today, asking this question:

And why do you call me, Master, Master, and
do not [do] the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)

Dear Reader, What are the Ten Commandments?

They are Messiah's Commandments to us today!

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John
14:15

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